Support Women Artists Sunday: Joan Mitchell

Joan Mitchell (February 12, 1925 – October 30, 1992) was a “second generation” abstract expressionist painter. She was an essential member of the American Abstract expressionist movement, even though much of her career took place in France. Along with Lee Krasner, Grace Hartigan, and Helen Frankenthaler she was one of her era’s few female painters to gain critical and public acclaim. Her paintings and editioned prints can be seen in major museums and collections across America and Europe.

Mitchell was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of James Herbert and Marion Strobel Mitchell. She studied at Smith College, in Massachusetts, and The Art Institute of Chicago. After moving to Manhattan in 1947, she wanted to study at Hans Hofmann’s school in New York but, according to Jane Livingston in her …

Mary Cassatt: Where Are The Female Artists?

Mary Cassatt: the minx herself

This semester in school I’m taking an Art History class. Full disclosure: I actually did not choose to be in this class, but because of scheduling conflicts was funneled in. In fact, I’m artistically challenged.

This has always been a point of contention for me. I love the arts. I’ve been surrounded by art, music and theatre my entire life – in fact, my Grandmother and Mom are both visual artists and my Dad and Brother are both in the theatre industry. And yet I’m thoroughly untalented. I pick up a paintbrush and I swear the paper tries to escape from my manic clutches.

Therefore, I was incredibly trepidatious in this class (which really is more art than history) until our major project of the …